As the 20th annual African Lion joint military exercises were getting underway in Agadir on Monday, Major General Todd R. Wasmund of the United States Army declared that Morocco “will always be the home of the African Lion exercises,” MAP news agency reported.
Approximately 7,000 armed forces from 20 nations, and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), are currently participating in the large-scale military exercises alongside Morocco’s FAR and the US Armed Forces which are scheduled to run until May 31.
Wasmund thanked the Royal Armed Forces (FAR) for their commitment to the now 20-year collaboration between Morocco and the US, and other countries’ militaries.
Major General Mohammed Benlouali, Chief of Staff for the South Zone of Morocco in which Agadir is located, stated that the African Lion 2024 exercise commemorates twenty years of “fruitful cooperation, distinguished partnership, and unwavering commitment” to the values of peace and security. He cited the spirit of mutual trust and the shared desire of Morocco and the US to diversify and develop the military maneuvers, reflecting the strong historical ties between the two countries.
African Lion 2024, which takes place in Benguerir, Agadir, Tan-Tan, Akka, and Tifnit this year, will include a variety of activities such as combined day and night tactical, land, sea, and air exercises, a special forces exercise, airborne operations, and an operational planning exercise for Task Force staff.
There will also be training exercises in the war against weapons of mass destruction, as well as a variety of medical, surgical, and social services provided by a military field hospital to the Akka region’s residents.
This year’s maneuvers are being held under the auspices of King Mohammed VI, the Supreme Commander and Chief of General Staff of the Royal Armed Forces (FAR), and co-chaired by Major General Mohammed Benlouali, Chief of Staff of the South Zone, and Major General Todd R. Wasmund, Commanding General of the U.S. Army-Africa Task Force South.
African Lion 2024, Africa’s largest of all joint military exercises, is contributing to strengthening operational, technical, and procedural interoperability among participating armies and continues to be a key event for military leaders to exchange best practices and experiences, especially with respect to combined joint training.